Legalization Of Marijuan The Time For Change - 1359 Words

Legalization of Marijuana: The Time for Change Marijuana has been an ongoing controversial issue for quite some time now. According to the national institution on drug abuse, â€Å"Marijuana—also called weed, herb, pot, grass, bud, ganja, Mary Jane, and a vast number of other slang terms—is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried, shredded leaves and flowers of Cannabis sativa— the hemp plant.† (National Institution on Drug Abuse). Today twenty-three states and the District of Columbia currently have laws legalizing marijuana in some form. Four states including Washington State, Oregon, Alaska and Colorado, have legalized marijuana for not only medical use but recreational use as well. Certain people may view marijuana as a relaxing herb as†¦show more content†¦We need to take a stand to be able to be for as well as opposed to the legalization of marijuana. In 2900 B.C. Chinese Emperor Fu Hsi was the first person to use marijuana in a medical way. This history of cannabis use dates back to the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung during 2727 B.C. It wasn’t until the 16th century that marijuana was introduced to the United States of America. It was until 1545 that marijuana spread to the western hemisphere. Marijuana was brought over by the Spanish to be used for its fiber. Later in the 19th marijuana was used in make cloth and rope. Its seeds were also used for animal feed and its oils were later used for the foundation of paint. Today the common use of cannabis medicinal or recreational. The drug may also be used for spiritual/religious use. It wasn’t until 1937 when the Marijuana Tax act was involved. The Tax act placed a tax on the sale of marijuana. In 1969, the act was overturned in the Leary V. United States. This case was against a gentlemen named Timothy Leary who violated the Marijuana Tax Act. Leary later challenged the act and eventually won his case. Today, marijuana can we used by vaporizing (which is ba sed off of temperature). Other ways of using marijuana include smoking (joints or out of a pipe) as well as edibles (adding marijuana to different types of food such as brownies, cookies, and tea). Fundamentally, marijuana should be legalized because of its use for medication, if is its legalized then that

The Dishonesty of Honest People (Paper Summary) - 1597 Words

Dishonesty of Honest People: A theory of Self-Concept maintenance. Main idea ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · People think of themselves as honest. Yes, in reality dishonesty pays quite generously (give examples) The paper demonstrates that their convenience people become dishonest enough to profit but also behave honestly enough to maintain their self-concept. Why are People Dishonest? ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · Origins of theory date from Adam Smith/Thomas Hobbes using Homo Economicus as a base reference. Aka â€Å"Rational Man† who acts consciously and deliberately to trade off benefits and costs of dishonest acts. Within a dishonest act there is normally a balance of tradeoffs: 1. the amount that is to be gained 2. Likelihood of getting caught 3. Magnitude of†¦show more content†¦- A person may cheat on a test because they don’t want to appear stupid - On these matrix tests, people only care about external rewards and cheat up to a threshold where they don’t get caught - People are influenced by social norms, if a person solves 3 but knows on avg that people declare 6 correctly solved ones, he/she will comply. Comment [MS8]: Cheating in the first matrix did not affect the recycle groups self-concept negatively as the magnitude of their dishonesty was well below the threshold...under the radar.. Comment [MS9]: This is not focused on the actions of others, rather its more about self preservation. Control group 1(belief 4 matrices on avg solved): No possibility to cheat: as expected Control group 2(belief 8 matrices on avg solved): No possibility to cheat: as expected Recycle group 1(belief 4 matrices on avg solved): Possibility to cheat: cheated Recycle group 2(belief 8 matrices on avg solved): Possibility to cheat: cheated When subjects had an ability to cheat, they cheated, however their level of cheating was independent of their information on the average performance of others. This argues against drive towards achievement , threshold due to external costs, or norm compliance as alternative explanations. Comment [MS10]: This could be our angle to work on!!! In my opinion I think that drive towards achievement and norm compliance could very well serve for alternative explanations toShow MoreRelatedThe Dishonesty of Honest People (Paper Summary)1589 Words   |  7 PagesDishonesty of Honest People: A theory of Self-Concept maintenance. Main idea ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · People think of themselves as honest. Yes, in reality dishonesty pays quite generously (give examples) The paper demonstrates that their convenience people become dishonest enough to profit but also behave honestly enough to maintain their self-concept. Why are People Dishonest? ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · ï‚ · Origins of theory date from Adam Smith/Thomas Hobbes using Homo EconomicusRead MoreAcademic Ethics : Academic Integrity1080 Words   |  5 Pagesdefinition, academic integrity stands for the ethical policy or the moral code of the realm of academics. Upholding academic integrity is the responsibility of the students, researchers or academicians. Any person related to academics has to be honest in his or her approach, and that should reflect in the field of research and academic publishing. The person should also be committed to maintain the paramount academic standards in his or her work. 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Sauda Essay Example For Students

Sauda Essay Saudi ArabiaI INTRODUCTION Saudi Arabia, monarchy in southwestern Asia, occupying most of the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi Arabia is a land of vast deserts and little rainfall. Huge deposits of oil and natural gas lie beneath the countrys surface. Saudi Arabia was a relatively poor nation before the discovery and exploitation of oil, but since the 1950s income from oil has made the country wealthy. The religion of Islam developed in the 7th century in what is now Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932 by Abdul Aziz ibn Saud, and it has been ruled by his descendants ever since. Saudi Arabia is bounded on the north by Jordan, Iraq, and Kuwait; on the east by the Persian Gulf and Qatar; on the southeast by the United Arab Emirates and Oman; on the south by Yemen; and on the west by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. The countrys border with the United Arab Emirates is not precisely defined. Saudi Arabia has an area of about 2,240,000 sq km (about 864,900 sq mi). The capital and largest city is Riyadh. II LAND AND RESOURCES The Arabian Peninsula is essentially a huge, tilted block of rock, highest in the west and sloping gradually down to the east. Most of this slab of rock is covered with the sand of several large deserts. Saudi Arabias landscape also contains mountain ranges, flat coastal plains, and the rocky remains of hardened lava flows. The countrys climate is hot and dry, and there are no permanent rivers or lakes. A Natural Regions Saudi Arabia can be divided into four natural regions. These are the mountainous western highlands; the rocky central plateau; the more fertile, eastern low-lying coastal plain; and the sandy desert areas of the north, east, and south. A1 Highlands of Al #7720;ij#257;z and As#299;r A string of mountain ranges stretches along the western edge of Saudi Arabia. The northern segment of these highlands, known as Al #7720;ij#257;z (Hejaz), has a general elevation of 600 to 900 m (2,000 to 3,000 ft), with some mountains exceeding 2,000 m (6,500 ft). Rainfall here is infrequent, but streams flowing down the west side of the highlands allow limited agriculture in valleys and on the narrow coastal plain. On the eastern slopes of the highlands, prehistoric lava flows solidified to form vast, barren fields of dark-colored, broken basaltic stone known as harras. South of Al #7720;ij#257;z the highlands continue into the region known as As#299;r. Here, the highlands are rugged and reach considerably higher elevations than in Al #7720;ij#257;z: Much of As#299;r lies between 1,500 and 2,000 m (5,000 and 7,000 ft). The highest point in Saudi Arabia, Jabal Sawd#257; (3,207 m/10,522 ft), is located in this region, near the border wit h Yemen. As;#299;r receives more rainfall than Al ;#7720;ij;#257;z, allowing more widespread farming. A2 Najd An arid, rocky plateau known as Najd occupies the interior of Saudi Arabia. The western half of the plateau is a desolate tableland of broken volcanic rock crossed by wadis (watercourses that flow only after rains). In the eastern half numerous rocky ridges run north to south. Bordered on its north, east, and south by desert areas, Najd itself also contains several deserts, including Naf;#363;d ad Da;#7721;y, a series of sandhills and ridges that divide western Najd from eastern Najd. A3 Al A;#7721;s;#257; In the east, along the Persian Gulf, is the low-lying region of Al A#7721;s#257;, known for its vast petroleum deposits, farms, and gulf ports. Here, natural springs made agriculture and large-scale settlement possible long before the discovery of the regions rich oil reserves. The agricultural oasis of Al Qa#355;#299;f is noted for its large plantations of date palms. The coast consists of salt flats (called sabkhas), marshes, lagoons, and sandy or rocky beaches. Offshore coral reefs, mud islands, and sand bars made navigation difficult before channels to ports were dredged in the 20th century. A4 Deserts Considerably more than half the area of Saudi Arabia is desert. Some desert areas are covered with shifting sand dunes, while others are more stable flat or rippled expanses of sand. Shaped and moved by winds, sand dunes take the form of long ridges or tall hills. Sand, gravel, or bare rock basins lie between the dunes. Few plants grow in these arid deserts, except in scattered oases supported by springs or wells. Three large deserts lie on three sides of the countrys central plateau: An Naf;#363;d to the north, the Rub al Khali to the south, and the narrow Ad Dahn;#257; connecting these two on the east. The Rub al Khali, one of the largest deserts in the world, has an area of about 650,000 sq km (about 250,000 sq mi), nearly as large as the U.S. state of Texas. An Naf#363;d is characterized by parallel sand ridges, most 6 to 15 m (20 to 50 ft) high, but some sand hills rise as high as 30 m (100 ft). In some areas, wind has stripped the bedrock surface clean of loose material. North of An Naf#363;d are the southern fringes of the Syrian Desert. A belt of sand hills and ridges known as Ad Dahn#257; extends in an arc south from An Naf;#363;d, separating Najd and Al A;#7721;s;#257;. Ad Dahn#257;, varying in width from 24 to 80 km (15 to 50 mi), connects the northern desert regions with the Rub al Khali in the south. A similar but discontinuous band of sand ridges lies on the western edge of Najd, also connecting An Naf;#363;d and the Rub al Khali. Rub al Khali means Empty Quarter in Arabic, reflecting the barren and forbidding nature of the southern Arabian desert. It is much larger and drier than the other Saudi deserts, contains no oases, and can only be inhabited temporarily, in the cooler winter months, by camel-herding nomads called Bedoui ns. The Rub al Khali extends over much of southeastern Saudi Arabia and beyond the southern frontier into Yemen and Oman. Like An Naf;#363;d, the Rub al Khali is a sea of sand ridges and hills, some of which are as high as 150 m (500 ft). One of the worlds best-preserved meteor impact sites is located in the middle of the Rub al Khali, at a site called Wabar. B Climate Extreme heat and aridity are characteristic of most of Saudi Arabia. It is one of the few places in the world where summer temperatures above 50C (120F) are common, while in winter frost or snow can occur in the interior and the higher mountains. The average temperature range in January is 8 to 20C (47 to 68F) in Riyadh and 19 to 29C (66 to 83F) in Jiddah. The average range in July is 27 to 43C (81 to 109F) in Riyadh and 27 to 38C (80 to 100F) in Jiddah. Precipitation is usually sparse, although sudden downpours can lead to violent flash floods in wadis. Annual rainfall in Riyadh averages 100 mm (4 in) and falls almos t exclusively between January and May; the average in Jiddah is 54 mm (2.1 in) and occurs between November and January. C Natural Resources Some of the worlds largest oil and natural gas fields lie beneath Saudi Arabia and its offshore waters, representing the countrys most economically important natural resource. In 2003 Saudi Arabias oil reserves were estimated at 1.8 billion barrels. Before the discovery and exploitation of these reserves in the mid-20th century, Saudi Arabia was one of the poorest countries in the world. Its relatively small population subsisted in a harsh environment with little agricultural land and limited water resources. Saudi Arabia lacks permanent lakes and rivers, but considerable reserves of underground water have been discovered across the country. These have been used to increase agricultural production and provide water for the growing population. Desalination plants on the Persian Gulf and Red Sea coasts provide important, if expensive, sources of w ater. In addition, a number of dams built across wadis capture seasonal rainwater temporarily. D Plants and Animals Various fruit trees, notably the date palm, and a wide variety of grains and vegetables thrive in desert oases and in irrigated areas. Outside these areas, only sparse desert shrubs and trees survive. Large animals such as ostriches, oryxes, mountain goats, gazelles, and leopards were once numerous. However, hunters equipped with modern weapons and transportation have wiped out most or all of these prized game animals. Among other local wild mammals are foxes, hyenas, ibexes, panthers, wildcats, hedgehogs, sand rats, jerboas, hares, and wolves. Flamingos and pelicans are common on Saudi shores, and bustards, pigeons, and quails are found across most of the country. Lizards and snakes thrive in the arid desert and tableland, and the coastal waters are home to a wide variety of marine life. In particular, the coral reefs of the Red Sea are home to a dazzling array of brightly colored fish and other marine animals. E Environmental Issues The Persian Gulf oil industry has polluted the gulf for decades through unintentional oil spillagefrom tanker accidents and pipeline leaksand through dumping of oil-processing waste. Spilled oil and dumped waste have ruined bird habitats on the Saudi Arabian coast and killed countless fish and marine mammals. The situation worsened dramatically during the 1991 Persian Gulf War, when the Iraqi assault on Kuwait resulted in the release of 910 million liters (240 million gallons) of oil into the gulf. Kuwaiti oil wells set ablaze in the war also caused severe air pollution in Saudi Arabia. Beyond pollution caused by the oil industry, Saudi Arabias rapidly growing population has outpaced the provision of sewage services, resulting in the contamination of underground water near urban areas. The country has made some efforts to protect native species and preserve habitats. There is an extensive system of protected areas, including a national park and a number of natu re reserves. Some protection has also been extended to sensitive marine habitats off the coasts. Saudi Arabia participates in international environmental agreements pertaining to climate change, hazardous wastes, and ozone layer protection. Regionally, the country has committed itself to the cooperative protection of shared marine environments in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden. III POPULATION In 2004 Saudi Arabia had an estimated population of 25.1 million and a population density of 11.7 persons per sq km (30.3 persons per sq mi). About 23 percent of the population (amounting to about 5.4 million people) is made up of foreign nationals living in Saudi Arabia. The countrys population growth rate is one of the fastest in the world, at 3.27 percent (2004). The rapid rate of population growth and the large percentage of foreign workers and their dependents have significant political, social, and economic implications on Saudi Arabia. Foreign workers play an important role in the country, making up a large portion of the labor force and the consumer base. However, due mainly to a series of economic downturns, the government has pursued a policy of Saudi-ization to reduce its reliance on expatriates in the workforce. For more information, see the Labor section of this article. Riyadh, in the central Najd region, is Saudi Arabias capital and largest city, followe d by Jiddah, in Al #7720;ij#257;z. Also located in Al #7720;ij#257;z are the two holiest cities of Islam, Mecca and Medina. Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, was born in Mecca and first gained a large following in Medina in the early 7th century. Once a year, close to 2 million Muslims make a pilgrimage to Mecca, a religious duty known as the hajj. Other major cities include the ports of Ad Damm#257;m and Al Jubayl on the Persian Gulf; Al Huf#363;f, in the oasis of Al Hasa in eastern Saudi Arabia; and A#355; #354;#257;if, close to Mecca. A Ethnic Groups and Languages The Arabian Peninsula is the heartland of the Arab people and the Arabic language. The vast majority of Saudi residents are Arabs, and many claim descent from ancient Bedouin tribes native to the peninsula. However, there is some regional diversity. For centuries, the hajj has attracted Muslims from around the world to western Arabia. Those who settled permanently and intermarried with the local population have given rise to a diverse Muslim population in Al ;#7720;ij;#257;z. Some Saudi communities have African roots, a legacy of the days when slave trading was permitted in the region. The large foreign-born population of the kingdom consists mainly of Arabs from countries such as Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. In addition, many people from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines live and work in Saudi Arabia. Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia and is used by most of the native population. English is an important second language, used in government, commerce, the media, and among the non-Arab expatriate community. B Religion Islam is the countrys official religion. An estimated 89 percent of Saudis are Sunni Muslims (see Sunni Islam), and about 5 percent are Shia Muslims (see Shia Islam). The government employs the Sharia (Islamic law) as a guiding principle of rule. Consequently, Islamic tenets not only govern spirituality and religious practice, but also guide practices of law, business, taxation, and government. The form of Islam supported by the government is socially and theologically conservative. While Saudis and foreigners may behave as they wish behind closed doors, they must observe many strict religious requirements while in public. These include conservative dress for men and women, segregation of the sexes, mandatory daily prayers for Muslim men, and the closing of offices and businesses during the five daily prayer times. A government agency called the Committee to Prevent Vice and Promote Virtue sends out official enforcers called mutawwain to ensure observance of these rules. P unishments for transgressions can be summary and harsh, including public flogging. Saudi Arabias conservative form of Islam is strongly influenced by a puritanical Islamic movement formed in the 18th century. This movement is often referred to by Westerners and other non-Saudis as Wahhabism, after its founder, Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (see Wahhabis). However, the movements adherents have never referred to themselves as Wahhabis, and within Saudi Arabia, Wahhabi is often used by non-Saudis or reform-minded Saudis in reproach to refer to conservative Muslims. In modern-day Saudi Arabia, strong adherents of the movement may call themselves muwahhidun (unitarians, from al-muwahhid, Arabic for those who proclaim the unity of God) or ahl al-tawhid (people of unity). Less strident followersa significant portion of the population, including some members of the royal familymay simply say they are part of the harakat al-salafiyya, roughly translated as the movement following the ways of the Prophet. The countrys Shia Muslims are concentrated around the oases of Al Hasa and Al Qa#355;#299;f in eastern Saudi Arabia. Strict muwahhidun do not recognize the Shias as true Muslims. Therefore, historically, Saudi authorities have subjected them to discrimination and oppression, arousing resentment and opposition to the regime among the Shias. Other religions are represented among the expatriate population. However, the government does not allow public practice of non-Islamic religions and prohibits missionary activity. C Education The Saudi government has built an education system that provides free schooling at all levels to a large portion of the population. School is not compulsory, but 68 percent of primary school-age children are enrolled in school (2000-2001), as well as 68 percent of secondary school-age children. A dramatic increase in literacy over the last decades of the 20th century is one indicator of the success of the governments efforts. According to a 1970 estimate, Saudis had one of the lowest literacy rates in the Middle East: 15 percent fo r men and 2 percent for women. In 2004, 85 percent of all men and 72 percent of all women were literate. The government operates most primary and secondary schools, but also permits privately owned schools. The Saudi curriculum heavily emphasizes the study of Islam. Saudi Arabia has several universities and teacher training colleges, and a large number of other higher education institutions. Major universities include King Saud University (1957) and the Islamic University of Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud (1953), in Riyadh; the Islamic University at Medina (1961); King Faisal University (1975), with colleges in both Ad Damm;#257;m and Al Huf;#363;f King Abdul Aziz University (1967), in Jiddah; King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (1963), in Ad Damm;#257;m; and Umm Al-Qura University (1979), in Mecca. The government funds university and graduate education abroad, and many Saudi students attend educational institutions in the United States and United Kingdom. This has helped create an English-speaking technocratic elite, some of whom are advocates of political reform and social liberalization. The government extended public education to girls in 1960, despite opposition from some conservative religious leaders. Female education, now widely popular, is helping to transform the traditional role of women in Saudi society. Nonetheless, the education system is segregated by gender. In the past, women who wished to attend college were largely limited to the study of education or nursing (as these were the principal types of work deemed acceptable for women). However, economic and social pressures have forced universities to broaden the range of educational opportunities for women. D Way of Life As in other Middle Eastern societies, the family is the focal point of identity, loyalty, social status, and economic prospects in Saudi Arabia. Households tend to be large; Saudi women bear 6.1 children on average, according to 2004 statistics. The roles of men and women are sharply divided in many respects, a reflection of conservative Islamic practice and local custom. Men are expected to lead the household and provide for its financial well-being. Women are expected to marry, have children, and raise them according to Islamic principles. Therefore, few Saudi women work outside the home. In 2002 women made up only 18 percent of the labor force, and most of these were expatriate workers. Saudi women are not permitted to drive or to travel abroad without a male relatives approval. Some women and men have expressed opposition to these restrictions, and the government has on occasion expressed a willingness to gradually provide more rights for women. However, opposition from religious authorities, a lack of strong support from the ruling family, and the basic conservatism of broad sectors of the Saudi population have made change very slow. Influenced by the dictates of Islamic custom and the need for protection from a hot, dusty climate, traditional Saudi clothing is designed to cover and conceal the body. Although there are regional variations in the styles, colors, and materials used in traditional clothing, the customary garb of the Najd region has come to predominate throughout Saudi Arabia as a result of government and social pressure. Younger generations of Saudis, favoring blue jeans and baseball caps, are moving away from wearing traditional garb. Women traditionally use veils to cover their hair in public and a mask (called a burka or batula) to cover their faces. At home, women usually wear a caftan (full-length, loose robe with long sleeves), which may be ornamented with embroidery. When going outside the house, women add an outer garmen t called an abaya, which is often made of dark, gauzy material that also can help cover the head. For men, the most common garment is the thob, similar to the caftan in that it reaches the ground and has long sleeves. It is typically made of white cotton, but men may wear thobs of dark wool in the cooler months. Over the thob men may wear an aba or bisht, a coarser robe usually of brown wool. Men also tend to cover their heads, first with a small skullcap, then with a large square kerchief called a ghoutra. The ghoutra is often white but is also found in red or black checked patterns. It is held in place with an igal, two intertwined black cords formed into rings. A typical meal in Saudi Arabia could include mutton, chicken, or fish, with rice, bread, and vegetables. Dates are a local delicacy. Coffee, tea, and fruit juices are the most popular beverages among all segments of the population. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Food, especially sweets, takes on special significance d uring the holy month of Ramadan, when devout Muslims fast (go without food or drink) until the sun sets. IV CULTURE Bedouin society and Islam have shaped Saudi cultural expression. As in many parts of the Middle East, Saudis view the nomadic Bedouin as the embodiment of core social and cultural values, including honor, valor, chivalry, and hospitality. In pre-Islamic times called jahiliyya (Arabic for time of ignorance), Bedouin poetry was one of the most developed and influential forms of cultural expression on the Arabian Peninsula. Among these nomadic people, poetry was an oral tradition: Poets recited or sang their works, and listeners memorized the poems and retold them to others. The Bedouin poetical tradition influenced subsequent Arabian literature, and survives to the present day. Islam developed in Arabia in the 7th century and soon came to influence nearly all aspects of Arabian cultural life, including the arts, architecture, the Arabic language, and literature. Today, the kingdoms conservative religious authorities attempt to control cultural expression strictly, forbidding movie theaters, and singing or dancing at religious observances. A Literature Poetry was the first form of Arabic literature to attain a high degree of refinement, and the poetry of pre-Islamic Arabia is still admired and influential. The most notable type of poem was the qasida, an ode that could have a number of often-complex rhyming patterns. These odes dealt with themes such as love, beauty, courage in battle, and praise for noble leaders. The most influential poet of the pre-Islamic period was Imru al-Qays. The Quran, revealed to Muhammad and recorded in Arabic, has had a profound influence on Arabian literature and society. Not only a guide for living life according to Gods will, the Quran is also considered by many to exemplify the perfect use of the Arabic language and provide an ultimate literary model. Antigone: A Tragic Hero EssayVII HISTORY Fossil remains of elephants, hippopotamuses, crocodiles, and other large animals found in parts of the Arabian Peninsula indicate that the climate could support much more vegetation between 11 million and 4 million years ago than it can today. The regions arid climate, however, seems to date back at least 5,000 years. Prehistoric flint tools and rock drawings in various parts of the peninsula provide evidence of scattered habitation by Stone Age peoples. A Ancient Arabia Arabia served as a crossroads between the major ancient civilizations that rose and fell nearby: Babylonia, in what is now Iraq; the Nile Valley kingdoms of Ancient Egypt and Kush; and the early states of Yemen. By 4000 bc an advanced trading culture known as Dilmun developed on the Persian Gulf islands of Bahrain and the nearby Arabian coast. Dilmun provided an important stop on trade routes linking Mesopotamia to Oman and the Indus Valley civilizations of South Asia. Dilmu n reached the height of its power in about 2000 bc. It was occupied by the Kassites of Mesopotamia in about 1600 bc, and declined in importance over the next 1,000 years. The next major Arabian power to develop was the Minaean kingdom, which was well established by 1000 bc in As#299;r and southern Al #7720;ij#257;z along the Red Sea coast. Its capital was at Karna, also spelled Qarnah (present-day #350;adah, Yemen). The Minaeans were nomads and herders who came to dominate the Al #7720;ij#257;z trade in incensesubstances that were burned to honor gods in many of the regions pre-Islamic religions. The Minaeans withdrew from their trading post at Ded;#257;n (now Al Ula, in northern Al ;#7720;ij;#257;z) in the 1st century bc; afterward the Nabataeans founded a commercial center nearby at Mad;#257;in #350;#257;li#7721;. The buildings of Mad#257;in ;#350;;#257;li;#7721; are carved from rock in the same manner as those of the Nabataean capital of Petra, in present-day Jordan. In the 6th century ad the Lakhmid dynasty of Hira, centered in southern Iraq, began to replace the Minaeans as the regional power of central Arabia. By the 6th century Mecca was alread y an important city. It was a major stop on the main trade route between Yemen and the civilizations of the Mediterranean, and was also a pilgrimage destination for many Arab peoples who practiced polytheism (worship of multiple gods). B Coming of Islam Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, was born in Mecca in about 570 to a family belonging to a branch of the Quraysh, the dominant tribe of Mecca. His first attempts to preach the oneness of God met with only partial success, gaining him both followers and opponents in his home city. Muhammad had more success with tribes in nearby Medina, and he moved there in 622. Muhammads emigration, known as the Hegira (hijrah in Arabic) marks the first year of the Islamic calendar. In 630 he returned with his followers and conquered Mecca. After Muhammads death in 632, the Islamic community (ummah) was guided by caliphs (khalifah, Arabic for successor), who succeeded Muhammad in his role as Islams political leader. The first four caliphs ruled from Mecca and Medina, overseeing the rapid expansion of an Islamic empire through conversion and military conquest (see Spread of Islam). By 650 an organized Islamic state ruled a newly unified Arabian Peninsula as well as the entire Fertile Crescent (what is now Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Israel) and Egypt. The Umayyad dynasty of caliphs moved the seat of the caliphate to Damascus in 661. The political center of the great Islamic empire would remain outside the peninsula from this point onward, pushing Arabia to the fringes of Islamic culture and power until modern times. After 1269 most of Al #7720;ij#257;z was ruled by the Egyptian Mamluks. The Ottoman Empire gained control of Al #7720;ij#257;z when it conquered Egypt in 1517. Neither the Mamluks nor the Ottomans extended their authority into the central Arabian Najd region, which remained the domain of Bedouin tribal chiefs. C Abd al-Wahhab and the Rise of the Saudis In the mid-18th century the Muslim leader Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab attempted to gain religious influence in Najd. Abd al-Wahhab aggressively propagated an Islamic doctrine that he felt was as pure and true as the one preached originally by Muhammad. His view of Islam emphasized the oneness of God and f orbade practices such as the worship of saints and holy men. In 1744 Abd al-Wahhab found an ally in Muhammad ibn Saud, the leader of the tiny settlement of Ad Dir#299;yah in the central Najd region. Thanks to Abd al-Wahhabs strident religious convictions and Muhammad ibn Sauds political and military prowess, a powerful movement was born. Adherents, who called themselves muwahhidun (referred to as Wahhabis by outsiders), quickly spread far and wide. Villagers and nomads joined the movement out of either conviction or fearthe muwahhidun spread their message using soldiers as well as preachers. In the first years of the 19th century, muwahhidun forces conquered the main cities and towns of Al #7720;ij#257;z, including Mecca and Medina. In these cities, Abd al-Wahhabs representatives attempted to destroy the tombs of Muhammad and the caliphs, believing such edifices encouraged idolatrous worship. The forces then advanced northward, plundering the Shia holy city of Karbal;#257; and disru pting the major Ottoman trade routes in what is now Iraq and Syria. Faced with this growing threat, the Ottomans sent a force from Egypt to invade Arabia. Warfare raged across the peninsula from 1811 to 1818, when Egyptian forces defeated the muwahhidun and razed Ad Dir#299;yah. After the Egyptian armies withdrew in 1824, the remaining forces of the Saudi family regrouped in the town of Riyadh, near Ad Dir#299;yah, and began reclaiming the Najd lands they had lost. Throughout most of the 19th century the Saudis and their followers faced opposition from several quarters: rival emirates ruled by the Rashidis of #7720;#257;il, to the north; the sharifs (descendants of the Prophet), who ruled parts of Al ;#7720;ij;#257;z; and an Ottoman presence in Al Hasa, in the east. The Rashidis grew more powerful than the Saudis over the course of the second half of the 19th century. In 1891 the Rashidis seized Riyadh, took control of Najd, and drove the Saudi family into exile in Kuwait. At the dawn of the 20th century, young Abdul Aziz ibn Saud began a campaign of reconquest, starting in 1902 with the recapture of Riyadh. From there, his forces captured the region of Al A;#7721;s;#257; in 1913, the Jebel Shammar in 1921, Mecca in 1924, Medina in 1925, and As#299;r in 1926. The core of Ibn Sauds military forces was made up of townsmen from Najd as well as a zealous force called the Ikhwan (brotherhood). The Ikhwan, former Bedouins who had taken up Abd al-Wahhabs cause, had a keen thirst for plunder and fought with a blazing ferocity. Ibn Saud proclaimed himself king of Al #7720;ij#257;z in 1926, and in 1932, after unifying the conquered territories, he renamed his vast realm Saudi Arabia. D Ibn Sauds Reign Saudi Arabia faced daunting challenges in the first years of Ibn Sauds reign: chronic lack of finances, political fragmentation, a tenuous security situation, little administrative capability, and a primitive economic base. Ibn Saud solidified his control by taking away the power and autonomy of Bedouin tribes, promoting members of his immediate family to positions of power, and marrying women from several different political constituencies to bring them into his family. Oil was discovered in eastern Saudi Arabia in 1938, but World War II disrupted trade and limited revenues from oil through the 1940s. Nevertheless, the gradual increase in funds from the 1950s onward permitted the initial development of the countrys infrastructure and basic social services (as well as lavish expenditures on palaces and other luxuries for the royal family). In foreign affairs, Ibn Saud strengthened relations with other states of the Middle East and adopted a friendly policy toward th e United States and the United Kingdom. A supporter of the Allied cause in World War II (1939-1945), he permitted construction of a U.S. air base in Dhahran but remained officially neutral until March 1945, when he declared war on Germany and Japan. In 1945 Saudi Arabia joined the United Nations (UN) and the newly founded Arab League, an association with the goal of promoting the interests of Arabic-speaking nations. Saudi Arabia opposed the creation of Israel but took only a minor part in the leagues war against the Jewish state in 1948 and 1949. In December 1950 a new agreement with the Arabian-American Oil Company (Aramco) provided that 50 percent of the companys net earnings should be paid to Saudi Arabia. Under this new agreement, Saudi oil revenues increased dramatically, and wealth poured into the kingdoms coffers. In June 1951 Saudi Arabia agreed to allow the United States to continue using the Dhahran air base in return for U.S. technical aid and permission to purchase arms under the Mutual Defense Assistance Act. E Turmoil at Home and Abroad The death of Ibn Saud in 1953 ushered in a period of serious internal political strife. Saud, the designated crown prince, took the throne, but his authority was challenged by Faisal and Talal, two of Ibn Sauds other sons. During his reign, Saud was criticized for fiscal irresponsibility and for episodes of labor unrest in the oil industry. Meanwhile, Faisal was largely responsible for the development of the governments bureaucracy. Also during Sauds reign, the first generation of Saudi technocrats who had been educated in the West returned to Saudi Arabia. They played an important part in the countrys subsequent development. In foreign affairs, Saud advocated Arab neutrality in the Cold War (ideological and geopolitical struggle between Western and Communist nations) and opposed the Middle Eastern Treaty Organization (METO), formed in 1955 by Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom. Representatives from Saudi Arabia attended the Bandung Conference held by nonaligned nationsthose nations not allied with major world powersin April 1955, in Bandung, Indonesia. In October 1955 Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defense pact with Egypt. A joint Israeli, British, and French attack on Egypt followed Egypts nationalization of the Suez Canal in 1956 (see Suez Crisis). Saudi Arabia then severed diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom and France, and cut off oil supplies to their tankers. King Saud visited the United States in 1957. Shortly afterward it was announced that the United States would sell arms and supply other aid to Saudi Arabia in exchange for permission to use the Dhahran air base for another five years. Financial mismanagement brought on a crisis in 1958 in which Saud was forced to transfer legislative and executive powers, formerly included among his own absolute powers, to his brother Crown Prince Faisal, the prime minister. Saud reserved for himself the right of veto. A royal decree in 1958 established a cabinet system. Although Saud reclaimed control of the government in 1960, a family council supported by the ulama declared Faisal king in 1964. The Saudi government declined to renew the Dhahran lease in 1962, and U.S. requests for reestablishing military presence there were repeatedly turned aside until 1990. At a conference held in September 1960 in Baghd;#257;d, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Venezuela, and Kuwait founded the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to coordinate their policies and help sustain oil prices. A steady increase in oil revenues during Faisals reign permitted him to fund long-delayed projects of economic and social development. These were implemented through five-year plans, the first of which covered the period from 1970 to 1975. During this time, the government poured money into the improvement of transportation, utilities, education, and health care. Saudi relations with Egypt deteriorated during the 1960s. In 1962 a revolution in Yemen overthrew Yemens imam. Saudi Arabia supported Yemens deposed leader in his efforts to regain his throne, while Egypt gave military support to Yemens new republican government. F Arab-Israeli Conflicts In 1967, as the Arab-Israeli conflict intensified prior to the Six-Day War, King Faisal expressed full support for Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser and dispatched 20,000 troops to Jordan to face Israeli forces. In June all Saudi oil exports to Britain and the United States were suspended, but diplomatic ties were not broken; oil trade was resumed after the Arab defeat. An Arab summit conference later in the year resulted in Egyptian withdrawal from Yemen, and the Saudis extended large-scale aid to Egypt to compensate for the loss of revenue caused by the closing of the Suez Canal during the war. King Faisal continued to call for pan-Islamic action against Israel and, under internal pressures, cr iticized alleged United States involvement on Israels side. He remained unwilling, however, to articulate a militant anti-Western position, and in 1971 Saudi Arabia and five other Persian Gulf states concluded a five-year pact with 23 Western oil companies, including 17 U.S. firms. In July 1970 Saudi Arabia formally recognized the republican government of Yemen after seven years of intermittent border fighting. Saudi Arabia sent a small number of troops and weapons (notably aircraft) to aid the Arab states in the Arab-Israeli War of 1973. In the aftermath of this conflict, the government played a leading role in organizing a short-term oil embargo against countries that had supported Israel and in quadrupling the international price of petroleum. The latter development, along with Saudi Arabias 1974 takeover of controlling interest in the huge oil company Aramco, greatly increased government revenue, thus providing funds for another massive economic development plan. G Financial Strength and Military Preparedness In March 1975 King Faisal was assassinated by a nephew and was succeeded by his half brother Prince Khalid ibn Abdul Aziz. Khalid, however, was in poor health and his half brother, Crown Prince Fahd, became the power behind the throne. The country remained conservative, and its influence kept OPEC from raising its prices to the extent most member countries wanted. In 1980 it was announced that the Saudi government had taken full control of Aramcos assets retroactively from January 1976. Much of the petroleum money that poured into the country was reinvested in the West or spent on arms, but domestic inflation and a barely manageable pace of development presented ongoing problems. Saudi Arabia took a dim view of the conciliatory overtures by Egyptian president Anwar al-Sadat to Israel in 1977, and after the signing of a peace treaty between the two countries in 1979, Saudi Arabia cut off financial aid to Egypt and severed diplomatic relations. The Islamic revolution in Iran that year and the subsequent seizure of the Grand Mosque in Mecca by some 250 armed Islamists jolted the Saudi government, heightening awareness of its vulnerability to external and internal threats. The kingdom joined five other Arab Gulf states in 1981 to establish the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which focused on economic and collective security measures. Shared concerns about regional stability helped warm relations between Saudi Arabia and the United States. In 1981 the United States agreed to sell several Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) planes to the Saudis, an arrangement that provoked heavy opposition from Israel, which feared an upset of the military balance in the M iddle East. King Khalid died in June 1982 and was succeeded by Fahd. As king, Fahd sought to maintain Saudi Arabias traditional Islamic values, while continuing the process of rapid modernization made possible by the nations abundant oil resources. In 1986 he assumed the religious title Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in an effort to safeguard the Western-friendly Saudi regime from opposition by Islamic militants. Nevertheless, King Fahd faced difficulties within and beyond his country. In July 1987 at least 400 people were killed in Mecca when Iranian Shia pilgrims clashed with Saudi police. Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia became increasingly hostile. Iran expressed its displeasure at Saudi restrictions on Iranian pilgrims by boycotting the hajj for several years. Relations between the countries began to thaw gradually in the 1990s. H Persian Gulf War and Developments in the 1990s Iraqs takeover of Kuwait in August 1990 had significant military, political, and economic consequences for Saudi Arabia. Despite opposition from some religious leaders and their followers, the Saudi government provided for temporary deployment on its own territory of hundreds of thousands of U.S. and allied troops. It also contributed forces to the multinational coalition that fought Iraq in the Persian Gulf War in early 1991. In order to allay some of the domestic opposition to non-Muslim forces stationed in Islams holy land, the Saudi government emphasized that several other Islamic countries had also sent forces to fight Iraq. Through the late 1990s Saudi Arabia allowed some U.S. forces to remain in the country, mainly to enforce so-called no-fly zones over southern Iraq. Religious opposition groups viewed the continued U.S. presence as a major point of contention with the government. After the Persian Gulf War, Saudi Arabia increased its oil output to compensate for the loss of petroleum supplies from Iraq and Kuwait. Economic problems became evident, however, in 1993. The United States had insisted that Saudi Arabia pay for the costs of U.S. military protection during the war, costing the country $51 billion. Meanwhile, the Saudi economy was feeling the effects of a budget operating under deficit since 1983. War payments and declining oil prices forced the Saudi government to cut social and defense spending and take out loans from international banks. Despite these problems, in 1994 Saudi Arabia helped defeat a campaign by Iran and other OPEC member countries to lower OPECs overall production ceiling so that limited supply would prompt a rise in prices. As oil prices continued to fall in the late 1990s, Saudi Arabia reversed its position and led an initiative for OPEC to reduce production in order to raise the price of oil. In March 1999 OPEC, along with four in dependent oil-producing nations, approved a yearlong production cutback. Saudi Arabia committed to the largest cutback, reducing production by 7 percent. Political reforms decreed by King Fahd in 1992 established a consultative council to serve in an advisory capacity, provided for a bill of rights, and changed the rules of succession. The Consultative Council (Majlis al-Shura) was convened for the first time in December 1993. Social reforms were less evident, however. Saudi men and women still were not permitted to attend public events together, and workplaces remained segregated. Government officials in the United States voiced continuing concern about human rights violations in Saudi Arabia, particularly the abuse of prisoners by guards and police. King Fahd remained an active sponsor of Islamic causes worldwide in his second decade as Saudi leader. In 1992 he conducted an extensive campaign to end the bloodshed in the former Yugoslav republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The same year, Fahds government established diplomatic links with the Muslim republics formerly included in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics: Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. In 1994 Palestine Liberation Organization chairman Yasir Arafat visited Riyadh to discuss with King Fahd the prospects for peace in the Middle East. The meeting represented a significant rapprochement between the two leaders, whose relations had been strained since the Persian Gulf War. In 1995 the governments of Saudi Arabia and Yemen agreed to negotiate a settlement to a long-standing dispute over their shared border; the agreement followed several months of small-scale fighting in the border region. Five years later, in 2000, the two countries finally announced an agreeme nt settling the border dispute. Meanwhile, in 1998

Personal Disc Styles Essay Example

Personal Disc Styles Essay Write a 3 to no more than 5 page double-spaced paper [be sure to use subheadings to identify each section] in which you use the results of your DISC Survey. The content of your DISC paper should include, but is not limited to, answers to the following questions: I. Describe your personal styles (25 points) Describe your strongest style(s) and your weakest style. Provide examples to illustrate how the strong styles characterize you (or, in the case of your weakest style, do not characterize you).If your profile is balanced, describe either how the four styles equally characterize you or how your styles change depending on circumstances. Note in-text citation where needed. II. Discuss how you developed your styles (25 points) Consider the possible effects of family, school, organizational memberships, and/or culture on the development of your self-reported styles. Discuss the factor that you think was most important in shaping your personal styles. III. Assess the impact of your styles on your effectiveness (25 points)Discuss the impact of your styles in terms of two factorssuch as interpersonal relations, group activities, individual or managerial performance. IV. Identify a target for change and a specific change strategy (25 points) Focus on a single style and a concrete, behavioral strategy for change. V. References List DISC source according to APA format requirements. (This is important for every paper in this course that uses an outside source. ) If there are certain issues that you would prefer not to discuss, simply exclude them from your paper and focus on other styles, events, or factors.

Quality Management Role

Introduction The report covers element of quality management in products. It uses Apple’s iPad to highlight various issues, particularly in product quality features and communication to customers.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Quality Management Role specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Quality management is an important element for an organization. It ensures that all products and services are consistent with the established standards. In quality management, organizations must ensure planning, control, assurance and improvement of product or service. Organizations must focus on quality management, how to achieve it in product or service features and communicate it to customers. Therefore, quality assurance and control processes should provide consistent products or services to customers. Companies depend on customers for revenues. Therefore, they must understand different needs of customers. In this regard , products or services should meet the present and future needs of customers and even exceed their expectations. Companies must develop quality products and communicate quality features to customers so that they can make informed decisions before purchasing a product. In this regard, customers should get adequate information about a product or service. How the supplier communicates the quality of the product Apple communicates iPad information to its customers. The company uses various means to reach customers. These include the traditional media and online platforms. In this report, information used is available at the company’s Web site. Apple has provided relevant information that many customers may use to gauge the quality of iPad. Information available covers iPad’s capacity and price; display; dimensions and weight; chip; cameras; video recording; product carriers; cellular and wireless; sim card; connector; battery life; and intelligent assistant.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Figure 1: iPad Information provided contains technical data about the product quality features, as well as basic information regarding service carriers, which many customers need to know. Apple Inc has arranged all its models of iPad alongside their quality specifications so that consumers can review and make purchase decisions. By providing product quality features, consumers can recognize performance and efficiency attributes of iPad. As a result, they will be able to make the right decision on their purchase. From the information available on Apple’s Web site, one can conclude that the company has provided enough details about its products to allow customers to make purchase decisions. Apart from the information communicated through the company’s Web site, there is also product review information. Such reviews provide product quality to c ustomers. For example, many product review Web sites have touted Apple Inc as an innovative company. In addition, they note that the company’s communication strategy is a well-calculated move to deliver strong products to customers and create loyalty. Web sites that have reviewed iPad and other Apple products have noted that the company provides products that deliver customers’ expectation because of extensive research, innovation and strong design. It involves meticulous planning processes to appeal to a large number of customers and improve product rating. The company communicates features that customers find easy to use and robust. At the same time, there is uniformity in product quality i.e., the products have similar major features and design. Customers who have purchased Apple iPads understand consistency in product development and know what features they are likely to get from a new product. In addition, they understand that it will be simple to adapt and use ro bust features of the new product.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Quality Management Role specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More While the company has managed to maintain consistency in product quality, the new product portfolios are highly innovative. iPad has several quality features that allow consumers to utilize the product to meet various functions. Moreover, the product can be adapted to suit various situations and functions due to its portability. Moreover, the company communicates its product quality through aesthetic designs. The designs are sleek and attractive with various colors. As a result, they appeal to consumers of all ages. A rating scale for the quality of iPad and its comparison with Samsung Galaxy Tab The rating scale for iPad has been based on the Likert Scale. This is the most common scale for rating electronic products. There are number of Likert items or questions to guide consumers when rat ing the quality of the product. The choice reflects the respondent’s feelings on a given product quality (Burns Burns, 2008). Users can choose positive, neutral or negative product rating on the scale to reflect their levels of satisfaction. [ ] Excellent [ ] Very Good [ ] Good [ ] Average [ ] Poor For example, consumers can use the following quality features to rate the devices. Capacity and price Display Dimensions and weight Chip Cameras Video recording Product carriers Cellular and wireless Sim card Connector Battery life Intelligent assistant These quality features for iPad rating are based on the company’s communicated features, which are available to consumers who wish to make purchase decisions. The table below shows a typical product comparison of iPad 2 and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Apple iPad 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: SpecificationsAdvertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Feature Apple iPad 2 Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 The Verdict Operating system (OS) Apple iOS 4 (upgradeable to iOS 5) Google Android 3.1 ‘Honeycomb’ iPad 2 Display size 9.7 in 10.1 in Galaxy Tab 10.1 Display technology Capacitive LED-backlit IPS Capacitive PLS TFT iPad 2 Display resolution 1024 x 768 pixels 1280 x 800 pixels Galaxy Tab 10.1 Multitouch Yes Yes Draw Front camera VGA 2 megapixel Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Rear camera 0.7 megapixel, no flash 3 megapixel, LED flash, autofocus, geo tagging Galaxy Tab 10.1 Video recording Yes, 720 p HD Yes, 720 p HD Draw GPS Yes Yes Draw Internal memory 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB 16 GB or 32 GB iPad 2 Expandable memory None None Draw Dimensions 241.2 x 185.7 x 8.8 mm 256.7.4 x 175.3 x 8.6 mm Galaxy Tab 10.1 Weight 607 g 565 g Galaxy Tab 10.1 Application store Apple App Store Google Android Market iPad 2 Processor Apple A5 dual-core (1 GHz) ARM Cortex A9 dual-core (1 GHz) Draw RAM 512MB 1GB Galaxy Tab 10 .1 3G Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + 3G models Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + 3G models Draw Wi-Fi Yes Yes Draw Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP 3.0 with A2DP Galaxy Tab 10.1 HDMI-out No (Yes with optional digital AV adapter) No (Yes with optional HDTV adapter) Draw USB port No No Draw Quoted battery life Up to 10 hours Up to 9 hours iPad 2 Adobe Flash support No Yes Galaxy Tab 10.1 Figure 2: The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Figure 3: The iPad 2 The Findings and Discussion Design iPad 2 has a sleek design. It is faster and lighter relative to the previous versions. The black and white colors appeal to many consumers. iPad has a curved back to make it easier to hold. The product design allows it to rotate fast. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is thinner than iPad 2 and weighs less. The lightweight design makes the device â€Å"comfortable to hold and use†. However, the Samsung device is made mainly of plastic while iPad is made of high quality aluminum that enhances its sleek design. Display General ly, iPad has a clear display with â€Å"bright and crisp presentation that brings contents to life†. The Galaxy Tab has slightly larger screen compared to iPad. Both gadgets rely on advanced touch screen technologies. Nevertheless, these gadgets cannot resist strong sunlight and strong glares from lights, which affect their general outputs. Software and performance The latest iPad software is superior to the Galaxy Tab operating system. iPad provides the familiar tap and swipe touch screen that many users prefer. Moreover, Apple has managed to remain consistent in product quality as it introduces innovative new features. Moreover, the iPad has several apps alongside multimedia capabilities. It has an option of cellular and Wi-Fi, which customers can specify when making their orders. This is flexibility which many tablet manufacturers do not provide. iPad is easy to hold and use. iPad offers streamlined experiences to users, which has made it a favorite among many users. Altho ugh iPad 2 may lack customized features for live widgets on the screen, the Galaxy Tab cannot match a superior iPad. Moreover, iPad features and quality specifications are superior to the Galaxy Tab. Tablets manufacturers do not release their products at the same time. Instead, they study the leader with the aim of identifying weaknesses in both their products and competitors’ products. They then release latest versions with updated operating systems and other features to customers. Such latest versions tend to be superior to the previous ones. For instance, latest versions of Galaxy Tabs have strived to bring new features to counteract iPads. While the features are not necessarily new, they enhance functionality of the available apps and improve their usability. iPad offers intelligent assistant to users. Internals and cameras The Apple iPad 2 has a dual-core that improves the speed of the gadget and ensures that the graphic processing is sufficiently faster. The gadget has both rear and front cameras with high recording capabilities. These cameras also support video chat and are compatible with other Apple smart products. On the other hand, the Galaxy Tab has both front and rear megapixel cameras. These cameras are for video calls and recording. The Galaxy Tab has high processing speed and a large memory device. The latest version can support Adobe Flash Player and therefore display flash video contents. Battery life and availability iPad has a battery life of 10 hours while Samsung Galaxy Tab only provides 9 hours of battery life. iPad 2 is available at â€Å"Apple boutique stores and from other authorized resellers†. However, it is generally expensive relative to Samsung Galaxy Tab. The price difference has been a major issue many Apple critics and fanatics alike have expressed. Apple has always maintained premium prices with marginal reduction compared to new versions. In addition, it has a larger price margin when compared to competitors. A ll these gadgets are also available with major carriers. It is imperative to note that Apple tends to maintain secrecy in product designs and release dates. Other features These gadgets have other features that could differentiate them from competition. These are mainly USB ports, chargers and the overall compatibility of these accessories. In addition, savvy users tend to check the speed at which a cable can charge the gadget. There are also other output features such as connection to external devices like cameras and television sets among others, which consumers consider before buying a device. These findings reveal that smart technology firms readily provide adequate information on product qualities to allow consumers to make the right decisions. In addition, such information differentiates them from competitors’ products. Overall, there is a massive competition in the industry as all suppliers strive to improve product qualities. Conclusion This is a quality management re port on popular smart devices. It shows that products’ manufacturers strive to provide adequate information to their customers through various channels. Consumers, therefore, can make informed purchase decisions. The product rating scale indicates that many users have positive experiences with their devices. At the same time, product suppliers compete to outdo one another in the market. Consequently, there are minimal variations in competing product lines due to constant quality management through product upgrades and release of new versions. References Apple Inc. (2014). Compare iPad Models. Web. Austin, P. (2013). Apple iPad Air vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1: Battle of the Big Tablets. Web. Burns, A. Burns, R. (2008). Basic Marketing Research (2nd ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education. Catanzariti, R. (2011). Apple iPad 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Tablet showdown. Web. Correia, E. J. (2012). Head-to-Head: Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 vs. Apple iPad Mini. Web. Dawes, J. (2008). Do D ata Characteristics Change According to the number of scale points used? An experiment using 5-point, 7-point and 10-point scales. International Journal of Market Research 50(1), 61–77. Rose, K. (2005). Project Quality Management: Why, What and How. Florida: J. Ross Publishing. Shanklin, W. (2013). Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 vs. iPad. Web. This report on Quality Management Role was written and submitted by user Theodore Cantu to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Free Essays on Zap

Zap and the Electric Vehicle Industry I. In 1994 James McGreen and Gary Starr founded ZAP Power Systems in Sebastopol California. ZAP, short for Zero Air Pollution designs manufactures and markets electric bicycles, scooters, and other short distance electric vehicles. The company became an instant hit when Kevin Spacey an Oscar award winning actor came on the Letterman Show in 2000 riding on an electric scooter. Shortly after, ZAP electric scooters and powered bicycles were in great demand. In 1996 ZAP began selling its electrically powered bikes by means of auto dealerships and catalogs. Soon after, ZAP became the first company in hitory to sell its stock directly to the public via the internet. Between 1997 and 2000 ZAP was involved in an assortment of contract negotiations and deals that would ultimately help aid their products’ exposure throughout the United States, China, and Europe. The road ahead seemed promising for ZAP, sales of EVs were expected to grow throughout a wide range of demographics. Aging baby boomers were able to go outside once again and function as they once did. Senior Citizens were aided by the electric powered vehicles with all sorts of daily activities. Police officers on patrol found they could respond more quickly with the EVs than the bicycle pedaling method. With global environmental issues, higher oil prices, transportation pressures and urban traffic congestion, the EVs demand will be expected to increase. II. By 2000 competition in the EV market had increased dramatically. Companies like Trek, Schwinn, and Murray that had a thriving non powered bicycle market began to offer electric powered bikes to consumers. Motor companies like Ford and Mercedes were beginning to take a chunk out of the market as well. The California electric power crisis in 2000 and 2001 unfortunately added a sense of uncertainty in the minds of consumers. A source of power that had been taken for granted ... Free Essays on Zap Free Essays on Zap Zap and the Electric Vehicle Industry I. In 1994 James McGreen and Gary Starr founded ZAP Power Systems in Sebastopol California. ZAP, short for Zero Air Pollution designs manufactures and markets electric bicycles, scooters, and other short distance electric vehicles. The company became an instant hit when Kevin Spacey an Oscar award winning actor came on the Letterman Show in 2000 riding on an electric scooter. Shortly after, ZAP electric scooters and powered bicycles were in great demand. In 1996 ZAP began selling its electrically powered bikes by means of auto dealerships and catalogs. Soon after, ZAP became the first company in hitory to sell its stock directly to the public via the internet. Between 1997 and 2000 ZAP was involved in an assortment of contract negotiations and deals that would ultimately help aid their products’ exposure throughout the United States, China, and Europe. The road ahead seemed promising for ZAP, sales of EVs were expected to grow throughout a wide range of demographics. Aging baby boomers were able to go outside once again and function as they once did. Senior Citizens were aided by the electric powered vehicles with all sorts of daily activities. Police officers on patrol found they could respond more quickly with the EVs than the bicycle pedaling method. With global environmental issues, higher oil prices, transportation pressures and urban traffic congestion, the EVs demand will be expected to increase. II. By 2000 competition in the EV market had increased dramatically. Companies like Trek, Schwinn, and Murray that had a thriving non powered bicycle market began to offer electric powered bikes to consumers. Motor companies like Ford and Mercedes were beginning to take a chunk out of the market as well. The California electric power crisis in 2000 and 2001 unfortunately added a sense of uncertainty in the minds of consumers. A source of power that had been taken for granted ...

American Labor Unions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

American Labor Unions - Essay Example Firstly, with respect to the overall effectiveness of American labor unions, it must be stated that historically this effectiveness has been rather high. Ultimately, working conditions, pay, fairness, and issues concerning equality have all been able to be maximized as a direct result of union organization over the past decades. However, one of the major issues that is facing unions, and subsequently contributing to a massive loss in union membership is the fact that individuals no longer feel that the benefits of union membership outweigh the costs. For instance, even a brief overview of existing news stories reveals the fact that many companies are moving from union friendly states to non-union friendly states. Moreover, the recent flood of jobs that have migrated overseas has caused many individuals to believe that the â€Å"greediness† of the unions have contributed to the industrial decay that the United States has experienced since the 1960s (Zhu, 2006). Moreover, the ab ility of foreign manufacturers, such as foreign automobile makers, to benefit from nonunion factories within the United States and dominantly compete with domestic automobile manufacturers has underscored the fact that the unionization of cities such as Detroit can no longer be seen as a mutual benefit to domestic industry and/or the success of American business over foreign production (Fiorito & Jarley, 2012). Finally, with respect to the issue of whether or not a nonunion group of individuals within a particular company should be allowed to engage in collective bargaining and choose to become part of a union, it is the belief of this particular author that this action is a fundamental right that should not be infringed. Whereas it is true that there are many drawbacks and weaknesses to an alliance or agreement with a particular union, the self determinism of an individual group of workers is something that should not be infringed upon and ultimately represents a level of

Crossing Delancey Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Crossing Delancey - Essay Example The societal values are beating the retreat but that viewpoint is liable to be challenged. The characters of the play move on the path that has been prescribed for them, and speak on the dotted lines. The factual message that remains embedded in this absorbing and romantic comedy is an emphatically old-fashioned idea. The real need of a nice-Jewish girl is to be happy with a nice-boy from the old neighborhood! The viewer, for the duration of the play, thinks that he is being transported from the modern age to the middle age! That journey, however, is not the unpleasant one, and the recollection of the old world values is thoroughly enjoyable. Izzy—Isabelle Grossman Isabelle Grossman, who lives alone, thinks that she is in love with an egoistic WASP novelist, believing in some fanciful ideas about life which she herself is not sure. She eventually finds true happiness with her Bubbie and marriage broker fixes her up with a traditional and nice Jewish boy from the old neighborho od. He is a humble guy, deeply religious and tradition-loving and visits shul every day and happy to make his living selling pickles at the company he inherits from his father. Izzy is not carrier-crazed yuppie, but her imaginings are strong and heady and she daydreams a lot for her own good and has her definitions about the concept of wellness. She is a perfect granddaughter. She is not ultra-modern in her attitudes and does not like to be called an old-fashioned individual. Her career has something to do with her intellectual maturity. She works in a New York bookshop and she gets acquainted with many intellectuals there of both the sexes and such encounters keep her inspired. In her effort to escape from the net in the form of Sam carefully woven for her by her grandmother, she fixes Sam up with her best friend Ricky. This stop-gap arrangement does not succeed and she gradually is impacted by the qualities of head and heart of Sam and begins to spend more time with him. She is in itially irritated with the surprise appointment with a matchmaker and tells him in a tone or rebuking, â€Å"Excuse me, but I do not know what you think you’re doing.† Izzy visits her grandmother every weekend, for a practical view of the first generation Jewish lifestyles of her grandmother and is deeply impacted by it. Bubbie, The response of Izzy’s grandmother, to Izzy’s galaxy of intellectual friends is not enthusiastic, and she is a bit worried, whether she will be trapped into making the wrong choice of her life-partner. She is deeply committed to Jewish traditions and would like to find a suitable match for from her own community. She seeks the services of a Jewish matchmaker for the purpose in view and succeeds in her endeavors. Enter Sam, in the life of Izzy, only to be cold-shouldered initially. His pickle-making profession does not certainly inspire her. (She will be known as the wife of the pickle-maker and a modern girl does not like that to happen!) Things shape well later, though Izzy is irritated initially and resists the move. When Izzy dislikes the presence of the matchmaker, Bubbie advises her calmly but in a commanding tone, â€Å"First you’ll listen and then you’ll talk.† She is the archetypal Jewish grandma and mothers her

Divorce Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Divorce - Essay Example It is only the interpretation of Islamic law on marriage and divorce from a religious perspective. But a neutral and unbiased sociological interpretation of the Islamic laws related to marriage and divorce will necessarily reveal that Islamic laws are devoted to highlight a balanced support to both the individuals and the society. On the other hand, English law depends on a secular view of man and his existence in human society. This secular view assumes that man is essentially a self-sufficient structural functional entity who can decide his own life choice. Therefore, English law regarding marriage and divorce necessarily solely emphasizes on the individuals’ freedom and choice. It considers that individuals are the sole decision-maker in important matters like marriage and divorce. Indeed, this philosophical disparity determines all basic difference as well as similarities between the two laws. An in-depth analysis of divorce in Islamic Law necessarily demands a substantive description of how this legal systems view marriage. In Islam, a marriage is endowed with two facets: divine facet and social facet. The religious aspect of marriage necessarily assumes that it is a divine duty of every Muslim to marry and lead a peaceful and sacred conjugal life. According to Muhammad, it is a part of a Muslim’s faith in the divine. Simultaneously, it is his or her social duty also. In this regard, Mian Muhibullah Kakakhel (2008) likes to view the Islamic concept of marriage and divorce as following: It is well settled that marriage amongst Muslims is not a sacrament, but in the nature of a civil contract. Such a contract undoubtedly has spiritual and moral overtones and undertones but legally, in essence, it remains a contract between the parties which can be the subject of dissolution for good cause. (paras. 1) In order to a life of sanctity and prevent the social anarchy caused by promiscuous sexuality, a man must marry a woman, if his situation is physi cally and economically affordable to lead a conjugal life. Therefore, the primary requisites of marriage in Islam are that a Muslim must be able to fulfill the demands of sexuality as well as the economic needs of his family. If any person can fulfill these demands, he can enter marriage which is essentially considered as a social contract in Islam. The requisite for women to enter the marital contract is much easier than men. Since the economic expense of conjugal life sole pivots on men, women are free of the economic obligations. Hence, these prerequisites of Islamic marriage, in fact, determine those of divorce in Islam. Divorce in Islam is considered as the most heinous legality which empowers a man to divorce his wife without showing any reasonable cause. It is because Islam demands the unquestionable loyalty of women to their husbands. In this regard, a man will not be accountable to the Sharia council or the Islamic Legal system which consists of the elders and the religious authority of the society, unless his wife brings a charge of sexual perversion against him. On the other hand, a Muslim woman seeks divorce, she must appeal to the Sharia Council with the charges that her husband is sexually impotent or missing for years (Kakakhel, 2008, paras.2-7). The rule of divorce for men is different from that of women. If a man seeks divorce, the term, ‘

Urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections ABSTRACT Urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the most prevalent bacterial infections found in humans. 20. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) account for over 90% of uncomplicated UTI subsequently making it the most common etiological agent answerable for uncomplicated UTI.WW Pathogenic E.coli such as UPEC typically express virulence factors molecules directly concerned with pathogenesis but accessory/ancillary to normal metabolic function. Accordingly this confers an advantage on the pathogens by enabling them to exploit their hosts in ways inaccessible to commensal strains. 10. The UPEC genome accommodates an array of virulence and fitness factors specifically enabling it to colonise, survive and infect the mammalian urinary tract. WW +8. They utilise a number of fimbriae such as Type-1, P-,S- and F1C-fimbriae as adhesins to the mucosal epithelium as well as toxins, iron acquisition systems and factors involved in evading the host immune system such as capsular polysaccharide. INTRODUCTION Urinary tract infections can be broadly split into two types complicated and uncomplicated. The former referring to a UTI of an anatomically unobstructed urinary tract, where the individual maintains a normal immune status whereas the latter involves the possession of an abnormal urinary tract and immuno-compromisation. 22. An assortment of mechanical factors predispose an individual to contracting a complicated UTI, i.e. anything that causes disruption to i) normal urine flow, ii) complete emptying of bladder or iii) facilitates organisms access to the bladder. Hooton. Particularly prone are people who have lost neurologic control of their bladder and sufferers of vesico-urethral reflux (a condition where urine moves back up the ureters from the bladder).11 In general women are fourteen times more likely than their male counterparts to suffer from a UTI.. the female urethra is not only very short at only 5cm long hence easier to traverse but also is positioned at a hazardous proxim ity to the anus, in comparison the male urethra is surrounded by a drier environment and is much longer. In females the causative organism can be propelled into periurethral tissues during sexual intercourse consequently assisting the progression of bacteria up the urethra. Pregnancy is another contributing factor due to the resulting lethargic action of the bladder muscle wall. The pathogenesis of UTI begins when the uropathogens position themselves at a location outside the urinary tract and thus form a reservoir for infection 20. These organisms colonize form the perineal region or the feces and ascend to the bladder via the urinary tract WW+8. The ‘ascending route is how UPEC is considered to enter, whereby the bacteria ascend up the urethra into the bladder causing cystitis. However if left untreated the UPEC sometimes travel up even further to the kidneys via the urethers thus causing pyelonephritis. 12 + ww. The ‘hematogenous route involves seeding of the kidney during bacteremia and is a lot less common; gram positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus are the main causative agents. 12 Cystitis and pyelonephritis are the two fundamental types of infection involved in UTI. Cystitis is a lower urinary tract infection whereby the bladder becomes inflamed through infection with UPEC. Symptoms include frequency, urgency, dysuria (painful v oiding), cloudy or foul smelling urine (due to pyuria) and suprapubic pain. Mims Pyelonephritis (from the Greek pyelum pelvis, nephros- of the kidney) is a more serious infection however as it is an upper urinary tract infection affecting the kidneys. This presents symptoms such as dysuria, fever, rigors, malaise, loin pain and tenderness. Wikipedia. Uropathogenic E.coli are the predominant cause of UTI with over 40% of women and 12% of men likely to experience at least one UTI in their lifetime. This coupled with the fact that in the U.S.A alone the estimated cost to society is over three billion dollars means it is essential we learn as much about the pathogenesis of UPEC as possible. WW. The word pathogenesis comes from the Latin â€Å"pathos† meaning disease and â€Å"genesis† meaning creation. It can be described as the mechanism by which an etiological factor causes a disease. UPEC yields numerous virulence factors that aid in the colonisation of the urinary tract and also induce fitness on the pathogen. Adherence can be described as the first step in the pathogenesis of UPEC in UTI as adhesion is necessary to allow colonisation, then to penetrate. After colonisation it allows penetration but also confers other advantages such as a) secreted exotoxin is in close contact with target cells b) increased protection from host defences and most importantly in the initial stages c) resistance to the hydrodynamic force of urine flow.12 UPEC utilize a number of surface expressed appendages called adhesions or fimbriae to achieve adhesion to uroepithelial cells 8. Type-1 fimbriae are one of the most imperative virulence factors involved in the pathogenesis of UPEC as it is through their adherence to the uroepithelial cells that achieves the establishment of UTI. 3 These fimbriae are highly conserved in UPEC, being found in over 90% of isolates.1,20. The fim gene cluster encodes for Type-1 fimbriae with five of the genes responsible for structural proteins: FimA, FimI, FimF, FimG and FimH. Jones et 96- 20. In vivo microarray studies presents data that show the fim genes are expressed 12-72 times more than all of the 11 other fimbrial gene clusters. 5 In regards to the actual structural appearance of Type-1 fimbriated UPEC approximately 200-500 peritrichously arranged fimbriae are seen on the surface. Schembri et al 02 20. The initial binding of UPEC to uroepithelial cells is conferred by the FimH adhesin to terminally positioned D-mannose moieties of glycoproteins exposed on the apical surface. 7. The stratified bladder epithelium is characterized by a superficial layer of â€Å"umbrella cell It is a specific integral membrane protein, UP1a, which has been identified as the urothelial receptor for the FimH adhesin of Type-1 fimbriae. 7. UP1a is part of a unique membrane structure called the asymmetric unit membrane (AUM) that is comprised of 3 other integral membrane proteins, the uroplakins (UPs) UPIa, Ib, III and IIIa. 15. The AUM looks like rigid plaques and structurally form a 16nm receptor complex assembled into hexagonally packed two-dimensional crystals that are essential in maintaining the permeability barrier function.15 In addition to creating the foothold for infection in the pathogenesis of UPEC in UTI through adherence, Type-1 fimbriae also play a role in the invasion of host cells. FimH binding triggers host cell signaling cascades enabling UPEC to be internalized via a ‘zipper-type invasion mechanism.7 Overall Type-1 fimbriae play a crucial role in establishment of lower UTI through key roles in adhesion and invasion within the bladder. It is P-fimbriae that are noted to play an essential part in pathogenesis of upper UTI, i.e. pyelonephritis. 12 The pap (pyelonephritis-associated pilli) gene cluster, found on the UPEC chromosome itself, encodes for P-fimbriae. 20. This pap gene cluster is made up of eleven genes with six encoding for structural proteins that form the P-fimbria structural unit: PapA, PapK, PapF, PapG, PapE and PapH. 20. P-fimbrial lectins, (specifically the PapG adhesin) recognise a digalactoside component of the P blood group antigen and also Gal (a 1-4) Gal b galbiose disaccharide receptors extensively positioned on the surface of uroepithelial cells in 99% of the population.12+13 The expression of P-fimbriae undergoes phase variation (ON/OFF) with this being controlled by a combination of Dam methylation, leucine-responsive regulatory protein (Lrp) and the PapB and PapI regulators.3,20 Despite the strong epidemiological association of P-fimbriae with UPEC strains causing acute pyelonephritis, its precise function during the pathogenesis of a UTI remains elusive. 1. However the plethora of P-fimbrial receptors in human renal tissue coupled with their association with acute disease severity (found in 90% acute pyelonephritis) suggests that P-fimbriae are indeed necessary for colonisation and perhaps invasion of the upper urinary tract. 20+Johnson. In addition to Type-1 and P-fimbriae, there are a number of other fimbriae found to be albeit not as imperative, but nonetheless associated with the pathogenesis of UPEC in UTI. F1-C (Foc) fimbriae bear a resemblance to Type-1 fimbriae in their organelle structure and genetic organisation. The F1-C fimbriae mediate binding to globotriaosylceramide targets found solely in the kidneys as well as galactosyleramide on epithelial cells in the bladder and kidneys.

Humboldt Squid

Humboldt Squid Dosidicus gigas Domain: Eukarya Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Cephalopoda Order: Teuthida Suborder: Oegopsina Family: Ommastephidae Genus: Dosidicus Species: Dosidicus gigas Ecological Geographic range: Receives its name from its main location – the Humboldt Current This current is found in the East Pacific Ocean region The Humboldt squids are sometimes found along the coastal region of California, Oregon, Alaska and Washington Generally, found about 2,300 feet below surfaceEnter shallow waters to lay eggs Trophic level: Sharks, dolphins, whales, tuna swordfish, many types of rays as well as an abundance of crustaceans, mollusks, fish of all   sizes, and other cephalopods such as octopus can be found in the food web of the Humboldt The Humboldt is occupies a relatively high trophic level It feeds on krill and small species of fish Predators:Sperm whales, sharks, seals, swordfish, and marlin feed on Humboldt squids of all sizes, while gulls and larg e fish often capture juveniles Parasites include Chromidina elegans, a ciliate protozoan that lives inside the renal organs of the Humboldt Life Cycle: Average life span is 1 year; however, some can live up to 2 years Spend much of their short life in the ocean’s oxygen-minimum zone Come up at night to feed After 200 days, the squids reach sexual maturity They die shortly after mating Physiological Development Bilateral symmetryArms and tentacles – 8 arms and 2 retractable tentacles Mantle – hollow structure and so internal organs are all exposed directly to the ocean water Funnel – water is pumped from out of the mantle to the funnel, which allows squids to move Fins – are used for both maintaining position and generating thrust Chromatophores – tiny elastic sacs of pigment. The Humboldt squid can turn their entire bodies from red to white to red again in less than one second Digestive system: Complete and ciliated Mouth, anus and complex s tomachUse of a duck like beak to break up food A radula or ribbon horn found on the tongue directs the food down the esophagus Food is taken up by cells lining the digestive glands arising from the stomach and then passed into the blood Excretory System Undigested materials are compressed and packaged and discharged through the anus into the mantle cavity and carried away by ocean currents Excretory functions are carried out by a pair of nephridia (tubular structures that collect fluids from the coelom and exchange salts) Respiratory system:Contains three hearts to support the constantly moving lifestyle of the squid Hemocyanin is the copper-rich respiratory protein that transports oxygen throughout the body Circulatory system: complex, closed circulatory system (reason why they can move fast) contains two branchial hearts at the base of the gills which send unoxygenated blood through the gills A third ventricular heart then pumps oxygenated blood throughout the body (blood turns bl ue when oxygenated, colorless before) Nervous system: Highly developed and sensitiveBrain consists of two fused nerve centers that are linked down the length of the body by two giant nerve axons The giant axons transmit nerve signals quickly Interesting fact – the squid’s nervous system is connected to structures called statocysts. These vesicles let the animal to orient itself to a gravitational field, allowing the squid to remain aware of its orientation and movement in a three-dimensional manner Reproductive strategies Highest fecundity of any cephalopod Reach sexually maturity after 200 days of life Timing and location of eggs is still guesswork for most scientists Sexual reproductionSemelparous reproduction (reproduce once in their lifetimes and die shortly after) Female Humboldt squids can have about 10 million eggs; however, the most to have been found has been between half a million and a million eggs After the eggs are laid, there is no further parental invest ment Kurth, J. and M. Garzio 2009. â€Å"Dosidicus gigas† (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed March 18, 2013 at http://animaldiversity. ummz. umich. edu/accounts/Dosidicus_gigas/ â€Å"Squid. † The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2012. Encyclopedia. com. 18 Mar. 2013. Humboldt or Jumbo Squid Fact Sheet – National Zoo| FONZ. † Smithsonian: National Zoological Park. N. p. , n. d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013. â€Å"Humboldt Squid. † BioWeb. N. p. , n. d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013. â€Å"A Humboldt Squid Dissection Guide for Educators. † The Gilly Lab. N. p. , n. d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013. â€Å"Humboldt Squids: Systems. † Shorecrest Preparatory School. N. p. , n. d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013. â€Å"Humboldt  Squid. † Squid-World. N. p. , n. d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013. â€Å"Squid Sex and Babies. † Squid Sex and Babies. N. p. , n. d. Web. 18 Mar. 2013. http://theseasproject. weebly. com/uploads/5/3/8/4/5384258/5500235_orig. png? 243

Psychology’s Classical Theorist Essay

In the field of psychology, Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, and Carl Jung, developed three distinct theories of personality that to this day, continue to be the foundations on which all modern psychological theories are built. All three of these remarkable men knew and worked with each other. When Adler and Jung praised Freud’s book on dream interpretation, they were invited to join Freud’s circle of peers, who met weekly at his home in Vienna, Austria (Engler, 2006). At these meetings they discussed new and groundbreaking aspects of psychopathology (Comer, 2008). Freud, Adler, and Jung are unequivocally the most influential figures in modern psychology (Comer, 2008). Freud’s concept of the id, the ego, and the superego, are the underlying factors that began all three schools of thought and that provide the foundations of modern psychology (Engler, 2006). Freud believed that the id had no contact with reality and worked on the pleasure principle and hedonistic wants, with no morality involved. The ego develops as children experience the demands and constraints of reality. It uses reasoning to make decisions. The superego is concerned with right and wrong, it is the moral compass, the conscience in each individual (Comer, 2008). Freud believed that people are unaware of the most important personality processes. Like an iceberg, only the small portion of the conscious mind is accessible and above the water. The preconscious, just out of reach, and the subconscious, deeply repressed, is below the water completely. These are the reason for most problems with behavior and the personality, according to Freud (Nystul, 2006). Freud also theorized that the personality was formed by early childhood experiences, called psychosexual stages (Engler, 2006). If a child’s basic needs are not being met during one of these stages, the child may become â€Å"fixated† or stuck in that stage. For example, if an adult smokes, he or she could be said to be â€Å"orally fixated.† According to Freud, infants at the oral stage use their mouths to explore their environment (Engler, 2006). Freud’s emphasis on sexuality is one of the main reasons why Adler and Jung disagreed with him. They thought that Freud put entirely too much emphasis  on the libido and sexual energy in children. Freud and Adler met every Wednesday for eleven years (Comer, 2008). In 1911, Alder, along with eight colleagues, broke away from Freud’s circle to form the school of â€Å"Individual Psychology† (Engler, 2006). Adler’s theory differed from Freud’s in that it focuses on the person as a â€Å"whole.† The Adlerian term, individual psychology, refers to the human being as indivisible, as opposed to Freud’s view of an individual being, internally divided (Engler, 2006). For Adler, each aspect of the personality points in the same direction (Nystul, 2006). Adler saw how humans connect with one another, with family, with friends, with community, and with society as a whole. He believed that this interconnectedness is essential for an individual to develop and to thrive (Comer, 2008). Each person develops uniquely, according to acquired experiences, both past and present. The process starts at infancy, as children compare themselves to older children and adults, they experience feelings of inferiority (Engler, 2006). This is a normal reaction to the awareness of not being able to do as one pleases. These feelings motivate people to strive towards usefulness and to become contributing members of the family, the group, and the society at large (Nystul, 2006). Carl Gustav Jung, long an admirer of Freud, met him in Vienna, Austria in 1907, after Jung praised Freud’s book, â€Å"The Interpretation of Dreams† (Comer, 2008). At this historical meeting they talked for 13 hours (Nystul, 2006). Freud thought that Jung, twenty years his junior, was to become his heir apparent. In 1910, Jung did become the first president of the International Psychoanalytic Association (Engler, 2006). However, in 1914, Jung broke away from Freud, primarily because he disagreed with Freud’s view of sexuality (Nystul, 2006). Using his own theories, he then began the school of â€Å"Analytical Psychology.†Jung’s theory of personality divides the psyche into three distinct parts: the ego, consisting of the conscious mind, the personal unconscious, which contains thoughts, memories, and experiences  that are not presently conscious, but can be, and the collective unconscious (Nystul, 2006). The collective unconscious could be described as a â€Å"psychic inheritance† (Comer, 2008). It could also be a type of reservoir of the human experience as a species. Yet, the individual is never conscious of its presence (Feist, 1985). Jung’s â€Å"Archetypes of the Personality† evolve from the collective unconscious. These are the persona and its shadow, the female anima and male animus, and the self. Jung felt that until balance could be found within these archetypes in each individual, the complete realization of the self could not be achieved (Comer, 2008). The son of a pastor, Jung had a great interest in spirituality and its effects on the personality. His studies and knowledge of eastern philosophy, yoga, and meditation have certainly had an impact on his theories and have contributed greatly to today’s holistic approach to overall health (Nystul, 2006). Jung’s theories and writings have had a major impact on contemporary thought in many areas such as art, music, and literature (Douglas, 2005). Jung also coined the term â€Å"synchronicity,† which can be defined as â€Å"meaningful coincidences† occurring in everyday life (Engler, 2006). Jung claimed that there exists a synchrony between the mind and the phenomenal world of perception in each individual. For example, thoughts of an old friend fill one’s mind in the evening. The next morning, that particular friend calls, or news about them is received, out of the blue. However, no physical evidence has been found to support this idea (Strogatz, 2004). Although Freud, Adler, and Jung had their unique theoretical differences, they also shared many commonalities. For instance, they all utilized hypnosis and dream interpretation as therapeutic tools to treat their patients (Comer, 2008). They also all agreed on the importance of early life experiences and the existence of unconscious processes (Nystul, 2006). In the field of psychology, Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, and Carl Jung, developed three distinct theories of personality that to this day continue  to be the foundations on which all modern psychological theories are built. In their day, these three men were on the cutting edge of the newest science of western civilization. If not for Freud, Alder, and Jung psychology would not have evolved into the field that it is today. References Comer, Ronald, J. (2008). Fundamentals of abnormal psychology. (5th edition). New York, NY. Worth Publishers. Douglas, C. (2005). Current psychotherapies. (7th Edition). (pgs. 96-129). Itasca, Ill. F.E. Peacock. Engler, Barbara. (2006). Personality theories. (7th Edition). Boston, MA. Houghton, Mifflin Company. Feist, J. (1985). Theories of personality. New York, NY. Holt, Rinehart, & Winston. Nystul, Michael (2006). Introduction to counseling, an art and science perspective (3rd Edition). Boston, MA. Pearson, Allyn, & Bacon. Strogatz, Steven, H. (2004). SYNC: How order emerges from chaos in the universe, nature, and daily life. New York, NY. Hyperion. NOTE FROM AUTHOR: The only comments from my professor were about APA formatting, like margins, and double spacing the bibliography. No points were lost for this.